contact between beam and block
Last updated
Last updated
In this example, we showcase the simulation of a 2D node-line contact problem. The model can be downloaded. contact-between-beam-and-block.zip
Suppose there is an elastic cantilever beam with left end at fully fixed, and right end at . The middle point is subjected to a displacement load.
First, we define some nodes.
We use EB21 element to define the element. Accordingly, an elastic material is attached.
We use CP4 to define the block.
The Contact2D element is used to define contact. It requires two node groups that define master and slave, respectively.
It would be good to define a Visualisation recorder so that animations can be generated later by ParaView.
Now define the step and perform the analysis.
The contact itself is implemented as an element thus the contact force cannot be directly spotted in the resistance of corresponding nodes.
The master lines and slave nodes do not rely on the specific elements connected. Thus, the node-line contact can be applied to any 2D problems with various element types including truss, beam, membrane, etc.
To define a single contact element is not a difficult task but for large scale problems, it may be quite cumbersome as all potential contact pairs need to be defined. For better performance, it is recommended to have few master lines in each element while a couple of contact elements can be defined so that contact detection can be run in parallel.
Note the outer normal vector of master line is defined by rotating the axis by anticlockwise, the node sequence matters.
The NodeLine contact constraint can be applied in order to properly account for contact interaction. Each constraint requires three nodes: master , master and slave . Again the outer normal vector of master line is defined by rotating the axis by anticlockwise, the node sequence matters.
